Study on post–fintech partnerships to overcome gender inequality through access to postal digital financial services
12.03.2025 — The financial inclusion of women represents a significant opportunity for economic transformation; however, it remains a persistent challenge. Fintech companies are advancing financial inclusion through digital technologies, but significant untapped potential in gender-responsive financial service propositions do exist. This report draws on both secondary and primary research to examine women’s digital access options and presents recommendations to address the persistent gender gaps through postal networks.
Global Panorama Research on Direct Marketing Products and Services
28.02.2025 — The global direct marketing landscape is evolving rapidly, with digital channels reshaping the industry and redefining the role of traditional mail. This study provides an in-depth analysis of market trends, financial performance and strategic opportunities for postal operators.
Union Postale Autumn/Winter 2024
03.02.2025 — This year has been one of celebration. Those celebrations came to a pinnacle on 9 October – World Post Day – when the UPU celebrated its 150th birthday.
Trends and drivers of international postal exchanges: a regional corridor analysis
21.01.2025 — The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly reshaped international postal services, disrupting supply chains, shifting consumer behaviours, and accelerating digital transformation. Combined with changes to postal remuneration and new border and customs regulations, these factors significantly impacted postal volumes and operations. This UPU policy brief analyses these challenges, offering data-driven insights into the evolving dynamics of cross-border mail and parcel flows.
Postal Statistics 2023
23.12.2024 — Postal Statistics presents data collected annually by the International Bureau from member designated postal operators of the Universal Postal Union.
The State of the Postal Sector 2024
17.12.2024 — Marking the UPU’s 150th anniversary, the State of the Postal Sector 2024 highlights the evolution, performance and future of the global postal industry. It reflects on historical milestones, from serving 600 million people in 1874 to 7.3 billion in 2024, and explores shifts driven by technological advancements and e-commerce. The report introduces “ecosystemic growth”, an approach recognising the postal sector as part of a broader logistics network thriving on innovation and collaboration. It features the 2024 Integrated Index for Postal Development (2IPD), which evaluates systems based on reliability, reach, relevance and resilience.
Sustainable Development Goals Report – Assessing the alignment of the UPU strategy for 2021–2025 with the UN SDGs
16.12.2024 — In this report, the UPU’s 133 work proposals were found to align, to varying degrees, with 15 of the 17 SDGs. Notably, strong alignment was found with Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities), Goal 1 (No poverty) and Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth).
Digital trade regulations – an analysis of their impact on postal volumes
15.11.2024 — This policy brief focuses on physical digital trade, specifically the cross-border e-commerce of tangible goods ordered through digital platforms. It examines the impacts of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) with digital trade provisions on cross-border e-commerce, with particular emphasis on their implications for designated operators and policymakers.
Potential postal business models to serve MSMEs: Companion document to the study “Posts as enablers of MSME payment digitalization”
02.10.2024 — This particular report serves as a companion document to the study “Posts as enablers of MSME payment digitalization”.
Posts as enablers of MSME payment digitalization
02.10.2024 — The role of Posts should ideally be to facilitate digital payments between micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and their customers and suppliers. As a trusted member of the community, Posts serve both as ambassadors and customer support to foster MSME digitalization.